How to Change Your PHP Version

Most web applications need a specific PHP version range to run correctly. GrabbyHost's hosting lets you switch the PHP version for your website yourself, without opening a support ticket, using the PHP selector in your control panel.

On cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel and open Select PHP Version under the Software section (search "php" in cPanel's search box if you don't see it).
2. You'll see the PHP version currently applied to your domain, with a dropdown of other available versions.
3. Choose the version you need and click Set as current.
4. If your application needs specific PHP extensions, use the checkboxes on the same page to enable or disable them before saving.

On DirectAdmin

1. Log in to DirectAdmin and open the PHP Selector / Select PHP Version tool.
2. Choose the PHP version you want from the available list and apply it to your domain.
3. Enable any additional PHP extensions your application requires, if the tool offers that option, then save.

How to Know Which Version You Need

Check your application's documentation or requirements page — WordPress, for example, publishes a recommended PHP version, and plugin or theme documentation will often name a minimum version too. As a general rule, running the latest PHP version your application officially supports gives you the best performance and the longest security-update window; very old PHP versions stop receiving security fixes and shouldn't be used long-term.

After Changing PHP Version

Reload your website and check that everything still works correctly — a big jump between PHP versions can occasionally expose compatibility issues in older plugins, themes, or custom code. If your site shows errors after switching, you can switch back to the previous version while you investigate, or open a support ticket if you're not sure what's causing it.

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